e 


T 


Hcuuiiu  iiiuiiiiiy  i.i/e,ij  III  wuiiipiiiijr  wiiii  i»   liiiisniHii 

iind  his  wife,  who  went  to  redeem  some  of  their 
children^  and  were  so  happy  ns  to  obtain    what 


(Kuigntcr  snouia  m  time  be  prevaiiea  Wiiip 
ry.  The  Indians  are  very  civil  toward  theiri 
%vonicD«  not  offerinff  «nv  incivililv  bv  an^ 


I 


l> 


persuasions  enticing  my  cMld  to  marry,  in  order  I 
to  obtain  Ik r  freedom,  by  reason  tbat  tliose  cap-  I 
tives  married  by  the  French,  are  bv  that  mar-  I 


oairy,  in  order 
that  tiiose  cap- 
:  by  that  mar- 


m 


i 


s 

would  sometimes  take  my  very  blanket,  so  that  I 
had  nothing  to  do  but  take  my  little  boy  by  the 
hand  for  his  help,  and  fssist  him  as  well  as  I 
collide  taking  him  up  in  my  arms  a  little  at  times, 
because  so  smaU ;  and  when  we  came  at  very  bad 
places,  he  would  lend  me  his  hand,  or  coming  be- 
hind, would  push  me  before  him  ;  in  all  which,  he 
shewed  some  humanity  and  en  ility  more  than  I 
could  have  txpected  :  For  which  privilege  I  was 
scct-eily  thankful  to  God,  as  the  moving  cause 
thereof. 

Next  (0  this,  we  had  some  very  great  runs  of 
water  aiid  brooks  to  wade  through,  in  which  at 
times  we  met  with  much  dilUculty,  wading  often 
to  our  mid'lles,  and  sometimes  our  prirls  were  up' 
to  their  .shoulders  and  chins,  the  Indians  carrying 
my  boy  on  their  shoulders.  A*  the  side  of  one 
of  these  runs  or  rivers,  the  Indians  would  have 
my  liidcst  daughter  Sarah  to  sing  them  a  song  : 
Then  was  brought  into  her  remembrance  that 
passage  h>  the  137th  Psalm,  "  By  the  rivers  of 
Babylon,  there  we  sat  down,  yea  we  wfept  when 
We  remembered  Zion;  we  hanged  our  harps  on  the; 
will#ws  in  the  midi^t  thereof ;  for  they  that  carried 
us  away  captive,  required  of  us  a  song,  and  they 
that  w^aste^  us  required  of  us  mirth."  When  my 
poor  child  had  given  me  this  account  it  was  very 
affecting,  and  my  heart  was  very  full  of  trouble^ 
yet  on  my  child's  account,  1 »  as  glad  thivt  she  had 
so  good  an  inclination,  which  she  yet  further  man-* 
ifested  in  longing  for  a  bible,  that  we  might  have 
the  comfort  of  reading  the  holy  text  at  vacant 
times,  for  our  spiritual  comfort  under  our  present 
affliction. 

Next  to  the  difficulties  of  the  rivers  were  the 
prodigious  swamps  and  thiakets,  very  difficult  tot 


-u-i 


so  that  I 
>y  by  the 
JVell  as  I 
•■  at  times; 

very  bad 
>ming  be- 
which,  he 
'e  than  I 
?ge  1  was 
ng  cause 

It  runs  of 
which  at 
ling  often 
were  up 
i  carrying 
de  of  one 
>uld  have 
(1  a  song : 
»iice  that 
rivers  of 
6pt  when 
rpsonthe 
at  carried 
and  they 
When  my 
was  very 
f  trouble^ 
Vt  she  had 
ther  man-' 
light  have 
at  vacant 
ir  present 

were  the 
iiflicult  tof 


pass  through;  in  which  places  my  master  would 
sometimes  lead  me  by  the  hand  a  great  way  to* 
gether,  and  give  me  what  help  he  was  capable  of 
under  the  straits  we  went  through  ;  and  we  pass- 
ing one  after  another,  the  first  made  it  pretty 
passable  for  the  hindmost. 

But  the  greatest  difliculty  that  deserves  the  first 
to  be  named,  was  want  of  food,  having  at  times  noth- 
ing to  eat  but  pieces  of  old  beaver-skin  match-coats, 
which  the  Indians  having  hid  (for  they  came  naked 
as  is  said  before)  which  in  their  going  back  again 
they  took  with  them,  and  they  were  used  more  for 
food  than  raiment :  Being  cut  into  long  narrow 
straps,  they  gave  us  little  pieces,  which  by  the 
Indians'  example  we  laid  on  the  fire  until  the  hair 
was  singed  away,  and  then  we  ate  them  as  a  sweet 
morsel,  experimentally  knowing,  "  that  to  the 
hungry  soul  every  bitter  thing  is  sweet." 

It  is  to  be  considered  furtl^er,  that  of  this  poor 
diet  we  had  but  very  scanty  allowance ;  so  that 
we  were  in  no  danger  of  being  over  charged.  But 
that  which  added  to  my  trouble,  was  the  com- 
plaints of  my  poor  children,  especially  the  little 
boy.  Sometimes  the  Indians  would  catch  a  squir- 
rel, or  a  beaver,  and  at  other  times  we  met  with 
nuts,  berrieo,  and  roots  they  digged  out  of  the 
ground,  with  the  bark  of  some  trees ;  but  we  had 
no  com  for  a  great  while  together,  though  some 
of  the  younger  Indians  wfent  back  and  brought 
some  com  from  the  English  inhabitants  (the  har- 
vest  not  being  gathered)  of  which  we  had  o.  little 
allowed  us  :  But  when  they  caught  a  beaver,  we 
lived  high  while  it  lasted,  they  allowed  me  the 
guts  and  garbage  for  myself  and  children  :  But 
not  allowing  us  to  clean  and  wash  them  as  they 
QUGcht,  nkade  the  food  ver^  irksome  to  us  to  feed 


M 


so 

upon,  and  nothing  besides  pinching  hunger  could 
have  made  it  any  way  tolerable  to  be  borne. 

Th*;  next  difficulty  was  no  less  hard  to  me; 
for  my  daily  travel  and  hard  living  made  my  milk 
dry  almost  quite  up,  and  how  to  preserve  my 
poor  'jabe'slife,  was  no  small  care  on  my  mind  ; 
having  no  other  sustenance  for  her  many  times 
but  cold  water,  which  I  took  in  my  mouth,  and 
let  it  fall  on  my  breast,  when  I  gave  her  the  teat 
to  suck  in,  with  what  it  could  get  from  the  breast; 
and  when  I  had  any  of  the  broth  of  the  beaver's 
guts,  or  other  guts,  I  fed  my  babe  with  it,  and  as 
well  as  I  could  I  preserved  her  life  until  I  got  to 
Canada,  and  then  I  had  some  other  food,  of  which 
more  in  its  place. 

Having  by  this  time  got  considerably  on  the 
way,  the  Indians  parted ;  and  we  were  divided 
amongst  them.  This  was  a  sore  grief  to  us  all  : 
But  we  must  submit,  and  no  way  to  help  ourselves. 
My  eldest  daughter  was  first  taken  away,  and 
carried  to  another  part  of  the  country,  far  distant 
from  us,  where,  for  the  present,  we  must  take 
leave  of  her,  thougli  with  a  heavy  heart. 

We  did  not  travel  far  after  this',  before  they  di- 
vided again,  taking  my  second  daughter  and  ser- 
vant maid  tVorn  me,  into  fmofhcr  part  of  the  coun- 
try :  So,  I  having  now  cnJy  my  babe  at  my  breast, 
and  little  boy  six  years  old,  we  remained  with  the 
captain  stil!  •  But  my  daughter  and  servant  un- 
rttrwtnt  great  hardships  after  they  were  parted 
from  me.  travelling  three  days,  without  any  food, 
taking  nothing  for  support  but  cold  water ;  and 
the  third  day.  w  hat  with  the  cold,  the  wet,  and 
hunger,  the  servant  ftil  down  as  dead  in  a  swoon, 
being  both  very  cold  and  wet,  at  which  the 
Indians  witli  whom  they  were,  were  surprised) 


11 


pger  could 
borne. 
(1  to  me; 
le  my  milk 
isevve  my 
my  mind  ; 
any  times 
touth,  and 
iv  the  teat 
;he  breast ; 
e  beaver's 
I  it,  and  as 
lil  I  got  to 
I,  of  which 

)ly  on  the 
e  divided 
to  us  all  : 
ourselves, 
iway,  and 
far  distant 
must  take 
rt. 

re  they  di- 
r  and  ser- 
f the  coun- 
ty breast, 
d  with  the 
rvant  un- 
ire  parted 

any  food, 
fiterj  and 

wet,  and 
n  a  swoon, 
vhich  the 
surprised) 


shewing  some  kind  of  tenderness,  being  unwilling 
then  to  lose  them  by  death,  having  got  them  so 
near  home,  hoping,  if  they  lived,  by  their  ran- 
som to  make  considerable  profit  of  them. 

In  a  few  days  after  this,  they  got  near  their  jour- 
ney's end,  where  they  had  more  plenty  df  corn 
and  other  food  :  But  flesh  often  fell  very  shdrt, 
having  no  other  way  to  depend  on  for  it  but  hunt- 
ing ;  and  when  that  failed,  they  had  very  shoi«t 
commons.  It  was  not  long  ete  my  daughter  and 
servant  were  likewise  parted  ;  and  my  daugh- 
ter's  master  being  sick,  was  not  able  to  hunt  for 
flesh  :  Neither  had  they  any  corn  in  that  place, 
}f\it  were  forced  to  eat  bark  of  trees  for  a  whole 
week. 

Being  almost  famished,  in  this  distress,  Provi- 
dence so  ordered  that  some  other  Indians  hear- 
ing of  their  misery  and  want  came  to  visit  them ; 
(these  people  being  very  kind  and  helpful  to  one 
another,  which  is  very  commendable)  and  brought 
unto  tBem  the  guts  and  liver  of  a  beaver,  tvhich 
afforded  them  a  good  repast,  being  but  four  in 
number,  the  Indian,  his  wife  and  daughter,  and 
my  daughter. 

By  this  time  my  master  and  our  compaary  got 
to  our  journey's  end,  where  we  were  better  fed 
at  times,  having  some  corn  and  venison,  afnd  wild 
fowl,  or  what  they  could  catch  by  himting  in  the 
woods;  and  my  master  having  a  large  family, 
fifteen  in  number.  We  had  at  times  very  slrort 
commons,  more  especially  when  game  was  scarce. 

But  here  ojir  lodging  was  still  on  the  coM  gimind, 
in  a  poor  wigwam  (which  is  a  kind  of  little  sheH 
ter  made  with  the  rind  of  trees  and  rants  for  a 
Covering,  something  like  a  tent).    These  are  so 


i!; 


II 


iiliil 


IS 

easily  set  up  and  taken  down,  that  they  oft  re- 
move them  from  one  place  to  another  :  Our  shoes 
and  stockings  and  our  other  cloaths  being  worn 
out  in  this  long  journey  through  the  bushes  and 
swampsj  and  the  weather  coming  in  very  hard, 
we  were  poorly  defended  from  the  cold,  for  want 
of  necessaries  ;  which  caused  one  of  my  feet,  one 
of  the  little  babe's,  and  both  of  the  little  boy's  to 
freeze ;  and  this  was  no  small  exercise,  yet  through 
mercy  we  all  did  well. 

Now  though  we  got  to  our  journey's  end  we 
were  never  long  in  one  place,  but  very  often  re- 
moved from  one  place  to  another,  carrying  our 
wigwams  with  us,  which  we  could  do  without 
much  difficulty.  This  being  for  the  conveniency 
of  hunting,  made  our  accommodations  much  more 
unpleasant  than  if  we  had  continued  in  one  place, 
by  reason  the  coldness  and  dampness  of  the 
ground,  where  our  wigwams  were  pitched  mide 
it  vtry  unwholesome  and  unpleasant  lodging. 

Having  now  got  to  the  Indian  it  ^t,  many  of  the 
Indians  came  to  visit  us,  and  in  their  way  wel- 
comed my  master  home,  and  held  a  great  rejoic- 
ing, with  dancing,  firing  of  guns,  beating  on  ■  lol- 
low  trees,  instead  of  drums,  shouting,  drinking 
and  feasting  after  their  manner,  in  much   excess 
for  several  days  together,  which  I  suppose  in  their 
thoughts  was  a  kind  of  thanks  to  God  put  up  for 
their  safe  return  and  good  success  :  But  while 
they  were  in  their  jollity  and  mirth,  my  mind  vvas 
greatly  exercised  towards  the  Lord,  that  I,  with 
my  dear  children  separated  from  me,  might  be 
preserved  from  repining  against  God,  under  our 
affliction  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other,  we 
might  have  our  dependence  on  him  who  rulea  the 
hearts  of  men,  and  can  do  what  be  pleases  in  the 


13 


jey  oft  re- 
dur  shoes 
»eing  worn 
bushes  and 
very  hard, 
d,  for  want 
ly  feet,  one 
tie  boy*s  to 
^et  through 

y*s  end  we 
y  often  re- 
irrying  our 
do  without 
:onvemency 
much  more 
1  one  place, 
ess    of   the 
Iched  mide 
lodging, 
many  of  the 
r  way  wel- 
jreatrejoic- 
ting  on  !>ol- 
ig,  drinking 
luch   excess 
pose  in  their 
i  put  up  for 
But  while 
ly  mind  vvaS 
that  I,  with 
le,  might  be 
1,  under  our 
e  other,  we 
ho  rules  the 
leases  in  the 


kingdoms  of  the  earth,  knowing  that  his  care  is 
over  them  w  ho  put  their  trust  in  him  ;  but  I  found 
it  very  hard  to  keep  my  mind  as  I  ought,  in  the 
re^gnation  which  is  proper  it  should  be  in,  under 
silch  alflictions  and  sore  trials,  as  at  that  time  I 
suffered  in  being  under  various  fears  and  doubts 
concerning  my  children  that  were  separated  fronv 
me,  which  helped  to  (Cdd  to  and  greatly  increase 
my  troubles :  And  here  I  may  truly  say,  my  af- 
flictions are  not  to  be  set  forth  in  words  to  the  ex- 
tent of  them. 

Wc  had  not  been  long  at  home  ere  my  master 
went  a  hunting,  and  was  absent  about  a  week,  he 
ordering  me  in  his  absence  to  get  in  wood,  gather 
nuts,  8cc,  I  was  very  diligent,  cutting  the  wood 
and  putting  it  in  order,  not  having  very  far  to 
carry  it :  But  when  he  returned,  having  got  no 

Srey,  he  was  very  much  out  of  humour,  and  the 
i^appi  intment  was  so  great  that  he  could  not 
forbear  revenging  it  on  us  poor  captives.  How- 
ever he  allowed  me  a  little  boiled  corn  for  myself 
and  child,  but  with  a  very  angry  look  threw  a 
stick  or  wtn-cbh  at  me,  with  such  violence  am  did 
bespeak  he  grudged  our«attng.  At  this  his  squaW 
and*  daughter  brbke  tnt  ih  a  great  (crying.  This 
inade  me  fesr  mischief  wta  hatching  against  us  i 
And  on  it,  I  immediately  went  out  of  his  prenence 
into  another  wigwam ;  upon  which  he  eame  after 
me,  and  in  gredt  fiiry  tore  my  blanket  oil  my 
)^ack,  and  took  my  little  boy  from  me  and  strtiek 
him  down  ash«  went  along  befofe  him  ;  but  the 

J  1001-  c  hild  Hot  beinig^  hurt,  only  frightened  in  the 
iril,  stftrted  up  and  ran  away,  without  crying; 
then  the  Indian  my  inaster  kft  me  ;  but  his  wife's 
litiothe1>'caiA^  and  sat  dowu  by  me,  and  (old  me  I 
li^a^t^lee|rth^thtit  night.  She  then  going  from 


( 


I  « ' 


u 

uie  a  little  time,  came  back  with  a  small  skin  t6 
oover  my  feet  withal,  informing  me  that  my  master 
intended  now  to  kill  us  ;  and  I  being  desirous  to 
know  tl  e  reason,  expostulated,  that  in  his  absence 
I  had  been  diligent  to  do  as  I  was  ordered  by  him. 
Thus  as  well  as  1  could,  I  made  her  sensible  how- 
unreasonable  he  was.  Now,  though  she  could  not 
understand  me,  Hot  1  her,  but  by  signs,  we  reason- 
ed as  well  as  we  could  :  She  therefore  made  signs 
that  I  must  die,  advising  me,  by  pointing  up  with 
her  fingers,  in  her  way,  to  pray  to  God,  endeav- 
ouring by  her  signs  and  tears  to  instruct  me  in 
that  which  was  most  needful,  viz.  to  prepare  for 
death,  which  now  threatened  me ;  the  poor  old 
squaw  tvas  so  very  kind  and  tender,  that  she 
would  not  leave  me  all  the  night,  but  lai(^  her- 
self down  at  my  feet,  designing  what  she  could 
to  assuage  her  son-in-law's  wrath,  who  had  con- 
ceived evil  against  me,  chiefly  as  I  understood 
because  the  wt^nt  of  victua's  urged  him  to  it  My 
rest  was  little  tjus  night,  my  poor  babe  sleeping 
sweetly  by  me. 

I  dreaded  the  tragical  desi^  of  my  master, 
looking  every  hour  for  his  coming  to  execute  his 
Woody  will  upon  us :  but  he  being  wea^y  with 
hunting  and  travel  in  the  woods,  having  toiled  for 
nothing,  went  to  rest  and  foi^t  it.  Next  morn- 
ing he  applied  himself  again  to  hunting  in  the 
woods,  but  I  dreaded  his  returning  empty,  and 
prayed  secretly  in  my  heart,  that  he  might  catch 
some  food  to  satisfy  his  hunger  and  cool  his  ill 
humour.  He  had  not  been  gone  but  a  little  time 
until  he  returned  with  booty,  having^  shot  some 
wild  ducks  ;  and  now  he  appeared  m  a  betljer 
temper,ordered  the  fowls  to  be  dressed  with  speedl 
for  these  kind  «f  people,  whcii  they  have  plenty, 


s 
t 
a 
•J 
c 
s 

r 

tl 

li 
t 

t: 

n 
I 

V 

8 
t 

V 

n 

a 

0 

s 

11 

n 

SI 

tl 

a 

V 
c 

tl 

n 

V 

tl 


15 


spend  it  as  freely'  as  they  get  it  j  using  witfj  glut- 
tony and  drunkenness,  in  two  days  time  as  much 
as,  with  prudent  management,might  serve  a  week. 
Thus  do  they  live  Tor  the  most  part,  either  iruex- 
cess  of  gluttony  and  drunkenness,  or  under  great 
straits  of  want  of  necessaries.  However,  in  this 
plentiful  time  I  felt  the  comfort  of  it  in  part  with 
the  fatfiily,  having  a  portion  stint  for  me  and  my 
little  ones,  which  was  very  acceptable.  Now,  I 
thinking  the  bitterness  of  dtath  was  oyer  for  this 
time,  my  spirits  were  a  little  easier. 

Not  long  after  this,  he  got  into  the  like  ill  hu* 
mour  again,  threatening  to  take  away  my  life,  But 
I  always  observed  whenever  he  was  in  such  a  tem- 
per, he  wanted  food  and  was  pinched  with  hun- 
ger. But  Avhen  he  had  success  in  huntirtg,  to 
tak  eeitt»er'  bears,  ])envers.  bucks  or  fowls,  on 
which  he  couid  fill  his  belly,  he  was  better  hu^ 
moured,  though  he  was  naturally  of  a  very  hot 
and  passionate  temper,  throwing  sticks,  stones, 
o».  whatevier  lay  in  his  wayi  on  every  slight  occa- 
sion, This  made  me  in  continual  danger  of  my 
life  J  but  God,  whose  Providence  is  over  all  his 
works,  so  preserved  me  tnat  1  never  received  a- 
ny  ll^^ge  from  him  thAt  was  of  Any  greAt  con- 
sequence tame;  for  which  I  ever  desire  to  be 
thankful  tomy^ftkcr. 

When  flesh  was  scarce  we  had  only  the  guts 
and  garba'^e^llowed  to  our  part ;  and  not  being 
permitted  to  cleanse  the  guts  any  otherwise  than 
emptying  th«  dung,  without  so  much  as  washing 
them,  as  before  isnoted^  in  that  filthy  pickle  we 
niust  boil  them,  and  eat  theiA,  which  was  very  un- 
pleasant :  But  hunger  ihade  up  thatdiffieulty,  so 
that  this  food  which  was  Very  often  our  lot,  be- 
came pretty  tolerable  to  a  sharp  appetite,  which 


If  V 


11 


10 


E(l  willi. 


otljevwise  could  not  have  hetn  dispcnset 
Thus  I  considered,  none  knows    wimt  they  can 
undergo,  until  they   are  tried  ;    for  what  1  had 
thought  in  my  own  family  not  fit  for  food,  would 
here  haye  been  a  dainty  diah  and  sweet  marsel. 
h'  By  this  time,  what  with  fatigue  qf  spirits,  hard 

labour,  mean  diet,  and  often  want  of  natural  rest, 
I  wftti  brought  so  low,  that  my  milk  "tras  dried  up, 
my  babe  very  poor  and  weak,  just  skin  and  how : 
for  I  could  perceive  all  her  joints  from  one  end  of 
the  back  to  the  other  ;  and  how  to  get  what 
would  suit  her  weak  appetite  I  was  at  a  losis ;  on 
which  one  of  the  Indian  squaws  perceiving  my 
uneasiness  about  my  child,  began  some  discouisfe 
"sviih  me  in  which  she  advised  me  to  take  thekernels 
of  walnuts,  clean  them  and  beat  them  witji  a  little 
water,which  I  did,and  when  1  had  so  dontf,  the  wa- 
ter looked  like  milk ;  then  she  advised  me  to  wid 
to  this  water,  a  little  of  the  finest  of  Indian  corn 
meal,  and  boil  it  a  little  together ;  1  did  so  audit 
became  palatable,  and  was  very  nourishing  to  the 
babe,  so  that  she  began  to  thrive  and  look  well ; 
which  was  before  more  like  to  die  than  liv?.  I 
found  that  with  this  kind  of  diet  the  Indian?  did 
often  nurse  their  infants.  This  was  no  small  com- 
fort to  me  :  but  this  comfort  was  soon  mixed  with 
bitterness  and  trouble,  which  thus  happened  ;  iny 
master  taking  notice  of  my  dear  babe's  thriving 
condition,  would  often  ?ook  upon  her  and  say,  when 
she  was  fat  enough  she  would  be  killed,  and  he 
would  eat  her ;  and  pursuant  to  his  pretence,  at 
a  c^tain  time?  he  made  me  fetch  him  <i  stick  that 
iie  had  prepared  for  a  spit  to  roast  the  child  upon, 
as  he  said,  which  when  I  had  done,  he  made  me 
sit  down  by  him,  and  undress  the  infant.  When 
the  ciuld  was  naked,  he  felt  her  arms,  legs,  and 


\} 
ni 

ni 
bi 
ei 
fi 

ei 
d 

ir 
d 

S( 

si 
e 

a 

V 

n 
h 

0 

a 

4 

V 

a 
a 
a 
t: 
b 
s 
ii 
u 
e 
Q 
fi 
h 


17 

thighs,and  told  ine  slie  was  not  fat  enough  yet ;  I 
must  dress  her  again  until  she  was  better  in  case. 
Now  though  he  thus  acted,  I  could  not  persuade 
ni}  self,  that  he  intended  to  do  as  he  pretended  ; 
but  only  to  aggravate  and  aQiict  me  :  neither  ev- 
er could  1  think  Uit  our  lives  would  be  preserved 
from  his  barbarous  hnnds,  by  the  over- ruling  pow- 
er of  him  in  whose  providence  I  put  my  trust  both 
day  and  night. 

.  A  little  time  after  this-  my  ntftster  fell  sick,  and 
in  his  sickness,  as  he  lay  in  his  wig\vam,  he  or- 
dered his  own  son  to  beat  my  son ;  but  the  old 
squaw  the  Indian  boy's  grandmother  would  not 
suffeV  him  to  do  it :  then  his  father  being  provok- 
ed, caught  up  a  stick  very  sharp  at  one  end,  and 
with  great  violence  threw  it  from  him,  at  my  son, 
and  hit  him  on  the  breast,  with  which  my  qhild 
was  much  bruised,  and  the  pain,  with  the  surprise 
made  him  turn  as  pale  as  death;  I  entreating 
him'tiot  to  cry,  and  the  boy  though  but  six  years 
old,  bore  it  with  wonderful  patience^  not  so  much 
as  tn  the  least  complainhig,  so  that  the  child's 
>^rtence  assuaged  the  barbarity  of  his  heart : 
who,  no  doubt,  would  have  carried  his  passion 
and  resentment  much  higher,  had  the  child  cried, 
as  always  complaining  did  ag^^vate  his  passion, 
and  his  anger  grew  hptter  upon  it.  Some  littlt 
timi^  after>  on  the  same  day  ue  got  upon  his  feet^ 
but  far  from  being  well.  However,  though  he  was 
sick,  his  wife  and  daughter  let  mc  know,  he 
intended  to  kill  us,  and  I  was  under  a  fear, 
unless  Providence  now  interpdsed,  hdw  it  wOuM 
eud.  I  therefore  put  down  niy  child,  and  going 
out  of  his  presence,  went  to  cut  wood  for  the  fire 
as  V  used  t(»  do,  hoping  that  would  in  part  allay 
his  passion ;  but  withal  ere  I  came  to  the  wigwaili 


I 


!•; 


I 

I 

''V 


r 

4)-   J' 


(If 


i 


18 

ugain  1  expected  my  child  would  be  killed  in  this 
mad  fit>  having  no  other  way  but  to  cast  roy  care 
upon  God)  who  had  hitherto  helped  and  cared 
fov  mc  and  mine. 

Under  this  great  fcud^  the  old  squawy  iny  mas- 
ter's mother-in-law  left  him  ;  but  my  mistress 
and  her  daughter  al>ode  in  the  wigwam  with  my 
master  ;  and  when  I  came  M'ith  my  wood^  the 
daughter  came  to  me,  whom  I  asked,  if  her  lath- 
er had  killed  my  children,  and  she  made  me  a  sign 
No,with  a  countenance  that  seemed  pleased  it  was 
so  :  for  instead  of  his  further  venting  hispassion 
on  me  and  roy  children,  the  Lord  in  whom  I  trust- 
ed did  seasonably  interpose,  and  I  took  it  as  a 
merciful  deliverance  from  him,  and  the  Indian 
was  under  some  sense  of  the  same  as  himaelf  did 
confess  to  them  about  him  afterwards. 

Thus  it  was,  a  little  after  he  got  up  on  his  feet, 
the  Lord  struck  him  with  great  sickness,  and  a 
violent  pain,  as  appeared  by  the  complaint  he 
made  in  a  doleful  and  hideous  manner  ;  which 
when  I  understood,  not  having  yet  seen  hinif  I 
went  to  another  squaw,  that  was  come  to  »^m  aiy 
master,  which  could  both;  speak  and  under^nd 
EDgliah,  and  enquired  of  her  if  my  mistress  (  for 
so  I  always  called  her,  and  him  master)  thought 
that  master  would  die  ?  she  answered^  yes,  it  was 
very  likely  he  would,  being  worse  and  warse  : 
Then  I  told  her,  he  struck  my  boy  a  dreadfi^l 
blow  without  at^y  provocation  at  all,and  had  threat- 
fM^  to  kill  us  all  ii^  his  fury  and  passion ;  upon 
which  the  squaw  told  me  my  master  had  confes- 
sed tlie  above  abuse  he  offered  my  child,  and  that 
tlie  mischief  he  had  done^  was  the  cause  why  God 
afHicted  him  with  that  sickness  and  pain,  and  he 
had  promised  never  to  abuse  us  in  such  sort  more : 


and 

past 

strn 

witli 

do. 

mar 

S 
olhc 
but 
two 
day 
som< 
diou 
dam 
balx 
the; 
inti 
havi 
neiti 
antl 
peo] 
took 
Idic 
as  a 
was 

1 
terl 
ingi 
fore 
left 
grea 
our 
wen 
the 
cam( 
myj 


ID 

and  after  this  he  soon  recovered,  but  was  not  so 
passionate  ;  nor  do  I  rcinenibcr  he  ever  ui'tcr 
strrck  cither  nie  or  children,  so  as  to  hurt  us,  or 
with  that  niiiichievoiis  ialcul  as  be  Tore  he  used  to 
do.  This  I  took  as  the  Lord's  doing  and  it  was 
marvellous  in  my  eyes. 

Sonic  few  weeks  after  this,  my  master  made  an- 
other remove,  having  as  hci'ore  made  several  ; 
but  this  was  the  longest  ever  he  made,  it  being 
two  days  journey,  and  mostly  upon  ioe.  The  first 
day's  journey  the  ice  was  bare,  but  the  next  day 
some  snow  falling,  made  it  very  troublesome,  te- 
dious and  difHcult  travelling  ;  and  I  took  much 
damage  in  often  falling,  having  the  care  of  my 
babe,  uhat  added  not  a  little  to  my  uneasiness ;  and 
the  last  night  when  we  came  to  encamp,  it  being 
in  the  night,  I  was  ordered  to  fetch  water  ;  but 
having  sat  awhile  on  the  cold  ground,  I  could 
neither  go  npr  stand  ;,  but  crawling  on  my  handisi 
antl  kncesy  a  young  Ijidian  squaw  came  to  see  our 
people,  being  of  another  ^.mify,  in  compassion 
took  the  kettle,  and  knowing  where  to  go  which 
1  did  not,  fetched  the  water  for  me.  This  I  took 
as  a  great  <kiadness  and  favour,  that  her  hfait 
was  incUned  to  do  me  this  service. 

I  DOW  saw  the  design  of  this^umey  ^  my  m<ta- 
ter  being  as  I  suppose^  wcAry  to  keep  us,  was  will- 
ing to  make  what  he  could  of  our  ransom  $  there- 
fore he  went  further  towards  the  French,  and 
left  his  family  in  this  place,  where  they  had  a 
great  dance,  sundry  other  Indians  coming  |o 
our  people,  this  held  scnnc  time,  and  whilC;  they 
were  in  it,  I  got  out  of  their  way  in  a  oornor  of 
the  wigwam  as  well  I  could ;  byt  every  time  they 
came  by  me  in  their  dancing,  they  would  bow 
my  head  towards  the  ^ound,  and  frequently  liisk 


I 


1  ; 


'V, 


Jk 


■■H 


H 


>» 


i'' 


^1  ^  i^v 


SO 

inc  uilh  ns  grcftt  fury  lis  th**;'  ccmld  bcnp,  lieiiig 
sundry  of  tljcm  bnretoot,  am  others  linviiig  Iii- 
(liun  moi'kosons;  This  (Ifliicc  leld  some  time,  •iid 
tncy  made  (in  their  mnnnir)  great  rejoicings  and 
noise. 

It  was  not  many  days  ere  my  master  returned 
from  the  Frcncli ;  hut  he  was  in   such  a   humour 
M-hcn  he  came  back,  he  w^iuld  not  sufTer  me  in  hiR 
presence.     Therefore  I  hml  a  little  shelter  made 
with  some  boughs,  they  having  digged  through 
the  snow  to  the  ground,  the   snow   being  pretty 
deep.     In  this  hole  I  and  my  poor  children  were 
])ut  to  lodge,  the  weather  being  very  sharp,  with 
iiard  frost,  in  the  month  called  January,  made  it 
more  tedious  to  me  and  my  children.     Our  stay 
was  not  long  in  this  place,  before  he  took  me  to 
the  French,  in  order  for  a  chapman ;  and  when  we 
came  among  them  I  was  exposed  for  sale,  and  he 
asked  for  rae  eight  hundred  livres  :  But  his  ehap- 
man  not  complying  with  his  demand,  put  him  in 
a  great  rage,  offering  him   but  six  hundred,  he 
8oid  in  a  great  passion,  if  he  could  jQOt  have  his 
demand,  he  would  make  a  great  fire  and  burn  me 
and  the  babe  in  the  view  of  the  town,  which  was 
named  Fort-Royal.     The  Fi*eflchman  bid  the  In- 
dian make  his  fire,  and  I  will,  says  he,  help  you, 
if  you  think  that  will  do  you  more  good  than  six 
hundred  livres,  calling  my  master  fool,  and  speak- 
ing roughly  to  him,  bid  him  be  gone.    But  at  the 
same  time  the  Frenchman  was  civil  to  me  ;  and 
for  my  encouragement,  bid  me  be  of  good  cheer, 
for  I  should  be  redeemed,  and  not  go  back  with 
them  again. 

Retiring  ndw  with  my  master  for  this  night,  the 
next  day  I  was  redeemed  for  six  hundred  livres  j 
and  in  treating  with  my  master^  the  Frenchman 


nr,   lie'iii^ 

invinj;  Iii- 

titne,  •tid 

icings  and 

r  returned 
a  liumour 
r  me  in  \\w 
elter  made 
d  through 
ng  pretty 
dren  were 
liarp,  with 
y,  nirtde  it 
Our  stay 
ook  me  to 
i  when  we 
le,  and  he 
t  his  cliap- 
lut  him  in 
mdred,  he 
>t  have  his 
id  burn  me 
which  was 
bid  the  In- 
,  help  you, 
)d  than  six 
and  speak- 
But  at  the 
}  me  ;  and 
ood  cheer, 
back  with 

}  night,  the 
red  iivresj 
Frenchman 


queried,  Wb\  he  asked  ho  nuicli  lor  ihc  child'^ 
rnnsum  ?  Ligiiig,  when  sbe  had  Iter  belly  lulK 
.'ihe  would  die.  My  master  auid,  No,  she  woiild 
iiottlie,  having  alrcii'ly  lived  t\veuty-»ix  days  on 
uoliiing  but  water,  beliexiug  the  child  to  be  a 
devil.  The  Freuobtuau  told  bini.  No,  the  child 
is  ordered  tor  longer  lil'e  ;  and  it  h  is  pleaacd  God 
to  preserve  her  to  admiration.  My  miiater  said 
No,  she  was  a  devil,  and  he  believtd  she  AVould 
not  die,  unless  they  look  a  hatchet  and  beat  her 
brains  out.  Thus  ended  their  discourse,  and  I 
was,  aH  aforesaid,  wilb  my  babe,  ransomed  for  six 
hundred  livres,  my  little  lioy,  likewise  at  the 
.same  lime,  for  an  additional  sum  of  livrea,  was 
redeemed  also. 

I  now  having  chftn^*ed  my  landlord,  my  tablo 
and  diet,  as  well  as  my  lod^ng,  the  French  weri 
civil  beyond  what  I  could  either  desire  or  expect. 
But  the  next  day  after  I  was  redeemed,  the  Rom- 
ish priest  took  my  babe  from  me,  and  according 
to  their  cufttom,  they  baptized  her,  urging  if  she 
died  beforo  fhaty  she  would  be  damned,  like  some 
of  our  modwa  ^etcuded  reformed  priests,  and 
they  gave  hep  a  name  as  pleased  them  best,  which 
was  .viary  Ann  FroBsways,  telling  me,  my  child, 
if  she  now  died,  would  be  saved,  being  baptized ; 
and  my  landlord  speaking  to  the  priest  that  bap- 
tized her,  said.  It  would  ht  well  nowFrossways 
was  baptized  for  her  to  die,  being  now  in  a  state  to 
be  saved.  But  the  priest  said,  No,the  child  having 
been  so  miraculously  preserved  tfirough  so  many 
hardahifis,  she  may  be  designed  by  God  for  some 
great  work,  and  by  her  life  being  still  continued, 
may  much  more  glorify  God  tlum  if  she  should 
now  die.  A  very  sensible  remark,  and  1  wish  it 
may  prove  true. 


II 


'  *, 


ff, 


_Ji 


fil 


ii 


I";; 


,1: 


kl 


'.f 


t. 


nf 


i-'rl 


It. 


*il^ 


I  luivHig  been  about  five  months  amongst  the 
Imlians,  in  about  one  month  after  I  got  amongst 
the  French,  my  dear  husband,  to  my  unspeakable 
comfort  and  joy,  came  to  me,  who  was  now  him- 
self concerned  to  redeem  his  children,  two  of 
our  daughters  being  still  captives,  and  only  myself 
and  two  little  ones  redeemed  ;  and  through  great 
dilficulty  and  trouble  he  recovered  the  younger 
daughter.  But  the  eldest  we  could  by  no  means 
obtain  from  their  hands,  for  the  squaw  to  whom 
she  was  given,  had  a  son  whom  she  intended  my 
daughter  should  in  time  be  prevailed  with  to  mar- 
ry. The  Indians  are  very  civil  toward  theircaptive 
women,  not  offering  any  incivility  by  any  ihde- 
cent  carriage  (unless  they  be  much  over  gone  in 
liquor)  whWl'  is  commendable  in  them  so  far. 

However  the  affections  they  had  for  my  daugh- 
ter mad:>  ihem  ^'efuse  all  offers  iind  terms  of  ran- 
som ;  so  that  after  my  poor  husband  had  waited 
and  made  what  attempts  and  endeaVours  he  could 
to  obtain  his  child,  and  all  to  no  purpose,  we  were 
forced  to  make  homeward,  Icaving'feur  daoghtct* 
to  our  great  gnef,  behind  us,  arafnfStthe  Indians, 
and  set  forward  over  the  lake,  wkR  three  of  our 
children  and  the  servant-maid,  in  company  with 
sundry  others,  andbv  the  kindness  of  Providence 
we  got  well  home  onthit  first  day*  of  the  seventh 
month,  1725.  From  Whifeh  it  aj^ars  1  had  been 
from  home,  amongst  the  Indians  and  French,  a- 
bout  twelve  months  and  six  days.  *'*'*' 

In  the  series  of  which  time,  the  many  deliver- 
ances and  Wonderful  providences  of  Gob  unto  us, 
and  over  us,  hath  been,  and  I  hope  will  so  remain 
lobe  as  a  continued  obligation  on  my  mind,  ever 
to  live  in  that  fear,  love  and  obedience  to  God, 
duly  regarding,  by  his  grace,  with  meekness  and 


wlsdoi 
liness 
praise 
blesset 
But 
joy  hii 
daugh 
willmi 
lay  in 
niakin 
took  h 
seconc] 
and  hi 
childr 
they  y 
taken 
we  wt 
not  ge 
the  L< 
was  fr 
compc 
meut, 
tue  hi 
kinsm 
Lord 
great ; 
I  ther 
enabU 
things 
here, 
of  all 
childr 
maket 
thataj 
and  e: 
cornel 


mongst  the 
;ot  amongst 
inspeakable 
,s  now  him- 
pen,  two  of 
only  myself 
rough  great 
he  youngei' 
ly  no  means 
iw  to  whom 
(tended  my 
Arith  to  mar- 
heir  captive 
f  any  ihde- 
ver  gone  in 
n  so  far. 
•  my  daiigh- 
•ms  of  1  an- 
il ad  waited 
urs  he  could 
se,  we  were 
ir  daoghtct 
the  Indians, 
hreeof  our 
ipany  with 
Providence 
he  seventh 

I  had  been 
French,  a- 

ny  deliver- 
ob  unto  us, 

II  so  remain 
mind,,  ever 
»e  to  God, 
ekness  and 


23 

wisdom,  to  appi ove  myself  by  his  spirit,  in  all  ho- 
liness of  life,  and  godliness  of  conversation,  to  the 
praise  of  him  that  hath  called  roe,  who  is  GoD 
blessed  for  ever. 

But  my  dear  husband,  poor  man !  could  not  en- 
joy himself  in  quiet  with  us,  for  want  of  his  dear 
daughter  Sarah,  that  was  left  behind  ;  and  not 
willing  to  omit  any  thing  for  her  redemption  which 
lay  in  his  power,  he  could  not  be  easy  without 
making  a  second  attempt ;  in  order  to  which,  he 
took  his  journey  about  the  nineteenth  day  of  the 
second  month,  1727,  in  company  with  a  kinsman 
and  his  wife,  who  went  to  redeem  some  of  their 
children,  and  were  so  happy  as  to  obtain  what 
they  went  about :  But  my  dear  husband  being 
taken  sick  on  the  way,  grew  worse  and  worse,  as 
we  were  informed,  and  was  se^ible  he  should 
not  get  over  it ;  telling  my  kinsman,  that,  if  it  vra.* 
the  Lohd's  will  he  must  die  in  the  wilderness,  he 
was  freely  given  up  to  il.  He  was  under  a  good 
composure  of  mind,  and  sensible  to  his  last  mo- 
ment, and  died,  as  near  as  we  can  guess,  in  about 
tue  half-way  between  Albany  and  Canada,  in  my 
kinsman's  arms,  and  is  at  rest,  I  hope,  in  the 
Lord  :  And  though  my  own  children's  loss  is  very 
great ;  yet  I  doubt  not  but  his  gain  is  much  more ; 
I  therefore  desire  and  pray,  that  the  Lord  will 
enable  me  patiently  to  submit  to  his  will  in  all 
things  he  is  pleased  to  suffer  to  be  my  lot  wnile 
here,  earnestly  supplicating  the  God  and  Father 
of  all  our  mercies,  to  be  a  father  to  my  fatherless 
children,  and  give  unto  them  that  blessing  which 
maketh  truly  rich,  and  adds  no  sorrow  with  it$ 
that  as  the^  grow  in  years  they  may  grow  in  grace, 
and  experience  the  joy  of  his  salvation,  which  is 
come  by  JEausCHRisT;Our  Lord  andiiiavior.  Amco. 


!?■ 


m 


I 


■p 


''''it,  '■ 

it)  ►- ' 


24 

Now  though  my  husband  died,  by  reason  of 
Tehich  his  hibonr  was  ended,  yet  my  kinsman 
prosecuted  the  thing,  and  left  no  stone  unturned 
that  he  thought,  or  could  be  advised,  was  proper 
to  tHe  obtaining  my  daughter's  freedom:  but  could 
by  no  means  prevail ;  for  as  is  before  said  (she  be- 
ing in  another  part  of  the  country  distant  from 
where  I  was)  and  given  to  an  old  squaw,  who  in- 
tended to  marry  iicr  in  time  to  ner  son«  using  wuat 
persuasions  sue  could  to  effect  Her  end  sometimes 
by  fair  means,  and  sometimes  by  severe.  In  tne 
mean  time  a  Frenchman  interposed  and  they,  by 
persuasions  enticing  my  cMlu  to  marry,  in  order 
to  obtain  l»er  freedom,  by  reason  that  tliose  cap- 
tives married  by  the  French,  are  by  that  mar- 
riage made  free  among  them,  the  Indians  having 
then  no  pretence  l«ngerto  keep  them  as  captives, 
she  therefore  was  prevailed  upon,  for  the  reasons 
afore  assigned,  to  marry,  and  shc  was  accordingly 
married  to  t^e  said  Frenchman. 

Thus,  as  well,  and  as  near  as  I  can  from  my 
memory  (not  being  capable  of  keeping  a  journal) 
I  have  given  a  short,  but  a  true  account  of  some  of 
tl>e  remarkable  trials  and  wonderful  deliverances, 
which  I  never  purposed  to  expose ;  but  that  I  hope 
thereby  the  merciful  kindness  and  goodness  of 
God  may  be  magnified,  and  the  rcAder  hereof  pro- 
voked with  more  care  and  fear  to  serve  bim  in 
rigHtt  ousness  and  Humility  and  then  my  designed 
end  and  purpose  will  be  answered. 

E.  H. 


'«« 


I 


k\i  . 


by  reason  of 
my  kinsman 
one  unturned 
,  was  proper 
om:  but  could 
said  (she  be- 
distant  from 
law,  who  in- 
n,  using  wuat 
td  sometimes 
^ere.  In  tne 
and  they,  by 
rry,  in  order 
It  those  cap- 
•y  that  mar- 
iians  having 
as  captives, 
•  the  reasons 
5  accordingly 

can  from  my 
ng  ajoumal) 
mt  of  some  of 
Icliverances, 
It  that  I  hope 

goodness  of 
r  hereof  pro- 
lerve  Mm  in 

my  designed 

E.  H. 


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